The risk of developing hypothyroidism tends to increase with age. Older women present the greatest risk. In rare cases, hypothyroidism occurs in infants and young children. Infants will have a normal growth and development if hypothyroidism is treated during their first months of life. Teens with hypothyroidism typically look much younger.

If it’s not treated, hypothyroidism can lead to multiple complications, including pericarditis (accumulation of fluid around the heart) and increased cholesterol and triglycerides. Hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, will disappear spontaneously (by itself). Women may develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy.

Iodine deficiency is the main cause of hypothyroidism. Other factors that may trigger this condition include autoimmune disorders (Hashimoto thyroiditis), treatment of hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, medications (lithium). Hypothyroidism can also result from congenital diseases, failure of the pituitary gland, pregnancy and external irradiation. Viral and bacterial infections can temporarily damage the thyroid gland, leading to a form of hypothyroidism.

People suffering from this condition present thinning hair, dry and cold skin, slowness in movements, intolerance to cold, feeling of tiredness, weakness and drowsiness, depression, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight and muscle cramps. Less common symptoms include dysphonia (hoarse voice) and muscle pain.

In general, the severity of symptoms depends on age and severity of the condition. Subclinical or mild hypothyroidism often has no symptoms, going unnoticed. Symptoms of hypothyroidism during and after pregnancy include fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, depression, concentration problems and memory disorders. Some women develop a goiter.

If untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to periorbital swelling, pericardial effusion, muscular hypertrophy, weight gain, alanine transaminase levels raised (plasma or serum), cardiac failure, hypothermia, obesity, hyperpigmentation, etc. In rare cases, this condition leads to coma, female infertility, galactorrhoea-hyperprolactinaemia, Carpal tunnel syndrome, facies abnormality and thyroid hormone binding globulin levels raised (serum).

It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately if you notice mental deterioration, apathy, confusion and psychosis, severe breathing difficulties or low body temperature (35C or less). Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by the gastroenterologist, gynecologist or psychiatrist, depending on symptoms. More complicated or unusual cases require special examination performed by the endocrinologist.

Hypothyroidism can be easily treated using thyroid hormone replacement drugs. In most cases, the symptoms are alleviated in the first weeks after beginning treatment. All symptoms usually disappear within a few months. Along with the allopathic treatment prescribed by the doctor, natural remedies can be extremely helpful. Plants rich in iodine and vitamins are quite numerous, increasing the levels of thyroxine in the blood.

People with underactive thyroid should take multivitamin supplements such as iodine, selenium, Tyrosine, thyroid glandular, bladderwrack and coconut oil. Many herbs proved their efficiency in treating hypothyroidism; some of them are: bayberry, Siberian ginseng, saw palmetto berry, black cohosh, ashwagandha, maca, goldenseal and more.

The four iodine molecules that make up this hormone has to do with the referencing of T4. The hormone goes to all tissues and organs that are within the body and are important in order to maintain the working order of the tissue or organ. There are many important function of the thyroid hormone to areas such as the heart, brain, muscles, and other organs as well.

Some individuals develop the condition known as hypothyroidism. This is when the thyroid is not working at the level that it should be, therefore making it harder for the body to function. The body as a consequence does not get the hormones that are needed in order to stay within a normal maintenance. In many of the cases, it is found that the culprit to an under active thyroid has to do with autoimmune diseases.

Low levels of the thyroid hormones within the body cause the body to slow in the way it is functioning. Common symptoms that a person experiences as a result is loss of energy, fatigue, memory problems, and dry skin. A lot of times there is a decrease in the amount of bowel movements as well as the person feeling colder.

Some of the symptoms are the types that people are not aware of. Usually the reason for this has to do with things such as plague build up within the arteries, which is not something that is common for an individual to experience. On the other end of the scale, there are those who have previous symptoms, which may become exacerbated due to the underlying thyroid condition. The development of the condition varies with each person, some individuals can have it develop as quick as a few months, while there are others who do not have any kinds of symptoms that they are to experience until years later.

The longer period of time that a person develops hyperthyroidism and has the levels of hormones at a lot range for a long time, then they are more apt to have symptoms, which become more severe. Those with the mild form of hypothyroidism will usually have the kind of symptoms that are mild or that they are unable to notice. Essentially, there is no set standard as to the symptoms a person will develop.

Every individual varies with the kinds of symptoms that they experience. All people are different, yet those with the more severe kinds of hypothyroidism are sure to have more intense symptoms that they experience. With some, they have symptoms from the first time they are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Basically, there is not clear cut definition or standard to which a person will follow in the way that they experience the symptoms or recover.

Commonly, most develop hyperthyroidism due to the thyroid gland alone. This is known as graves disease and is caused by the over stimulation of antibodies in the blood, therefore making the thyroid grow and secrete too much of the thyroid hormone. Usually this kind of disease is genetic and occurs most times in young women. There is little known, relative to research as to why people develop this kind of condition.

Many times the individual has more bowel movements than what is normal as well, but it does not consist of diarrhea. There is usually the loss of weight, although the person does not have difficulty eating. Women sometimes experience the lightening of their periods, as well as less menstrual periods. In many cases, most who develop this kind of condition have it come on slowly and often mistaken it for stress.

Another kind of hyperthyroidism is when a person starts developing nodules or lumps within their thyroid. This will usually consist of one or more, which have the potential to grow and increase in the amount of activity, therefore making it so that there is more of the hormone in the blood than should be. When this kind of condition develops, it is referred to either as multinodular goiter, or toxic nodular.

In some cases, some individuals have symptoms, which is called thyroiditis, which occurs on various occasions and has to do with a condition with the immune system, or something to do with a viral infection that causes the gland to leak the hormone. Either of the conditions may be identified through a blood test. As for treatment, that depends on many different factors. Usually it has to do with the individual and their age, as well as their current health and the type of thyroid condition they have.

Underactive thyroid, otherwise known as hypothyroidism, is normally treated with synthetic hormone replacement by traditional doctors. The problem with this type of treatment is that is does not result in your thyroid producing hormones naturally so the treatment options is need for the rest of your life in order to be effective at treating the problem.

Holistic health care professionals address these issues with other alternative strategies. Natural hormone replacement provides a full range of naturally secreted human hormones. Desiccated porcine thyroid gland can be used as an effective treatment alternative to the synthetic option that only provides a small portion of the missing hormones your body requires.

Although natural hormone replacement can be a great alternative to synthetic replacement it still doesn’t give you all the hormones you need. It alone does not encourage the thyroid to produce it’s own hormone so supplements must be continually used to achieve results.

Natural treatments are also an option for attempting to restart natural hormone production in the body. By achieving this result, hormone replacement is not needed at all. Natural means are used to treat system imbalance as a result of hypothyroidism and have proven for many to be the better option.

Changes to your diet can be quite helpful too. Switching out processed foods for natural organic options and removing known food allergy possibilities like refined sugar and trans fat can be extremely beneficial in this type of approach. Food sensitivities to grains like wheat and dairy products should also be investigated. All bases should be covered when seeking natural treatment.

Herbal remedies are another option in holistic treatment and support of the endocrine system. Kelp, green oats and makandi can help level out your thyroid function and boost metabolism resulting in more ideal weight and body cored temperature. This all combines to promote a healthier well being over all.

Natural treatments like diet and lifestyle change as well as herbal supplements focus on the root causes of your thyroid problems rather than just the obvious issue. If you require additional guidance and information you can always consult a doctor of holistic medicine for other treatment options as well. They can provide you with all the information and treatment options you will need to be able to control your hypothyroidism without the need for synthetic options.

For those that are currently undergoing synthetic replacement treatment a new approach is usually welcomed with open arms. It can provide better results in a shorter period of time as well as save the person a lot of money in the long run. Herbal supplements and diet changes are much cheaper then paying outrageous medical bills for tests, treatments and medicines especially with insurance providers adding new things to their lists of medical care options that aren’t covered every day.

Natural treatments for an underactive thyroid use natural remedies to maintain balance in your endocrine system. This is considered a holistic treatment for this problem and may include simple things like a diet or lifestyle change and the use of herbal supplements to find a solution.

Underactive thyroid, otherwise known as hypothyroidism, is normally treated with synthetic hormone replacement by traditional doctors. The problem with this type of treatment is that is does not result in your thyroid producing hormones naturally so the treatment options is need for the rest of your life in order to be effective at treating the problem.

Holistic health care professionals address these issues with other alternative strategies. Natural hormone replacement provides a full range of naturally secreted human hormones. Desiccated porcine thyroid gland can be used as an effective treatment alternative to the synthetic option that only provides a small portion of the missing hormones your body requires.

Although natural hormone replacement can be a great alternative to synthetic replacement it still doesn’t give you all the hormones you need. It alone does not encourage the thyroid to produce it’s own hormone so supplements must be continually used to achieve results.

Natural treatments are also an option for attempting to restart natural hormone production in the body. By achieving this result, hormone replacement is not needed at all. Natural means are used to treat system imbalance as a result of hypothyroidism and have proven for many to be the better option.

Changes to your diet can be quite helpful too. Switching out processed foods for natural organic options and removing known food allergy possibilities like refined sugar and trans fat can be extremely beneficial in this type of approach. Food sensitivities to grains like wheat and dairy products should also be investigated. All bases should be covered when seeking natural treatment.

Herbal remedies are another option in holistic treatment and support of the endocrine system. Kelp, green oats and makandi can help level out your thyroid function and boost metabolism resulting in more ideal weight and body cored temperature. This all combines to promote a healthier well being over all.

Natural treatments like diet and lifestyle change as well as herbal supplements focus on the root causes of your thyroid problems rather than just the obvious issue. If you require additional guidance and information you can always consult a doctor of holistic medicine for other treatment options as well. They can provide you with all the information and treatment options you will need to be able to control your hypothyroidism without the need for synthetic options.

For those that are currently undergoing synthetic replacement treatment a new approach is usually welcomed with open arms. It can provide better results in a shorter period of time as well as save the person a lot of money in the long run. Herbal supplements and diet changes are much cheaper then paying outrageous medical bills for tests, treatments and medicines especially with insurance providers adding new things to their lists of medical care options that aren’t covered every day.

Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is caused by problems in the pathways. To keep the thyroid hormones regulated is the job of the pituitary gland. When everything is working correctly, the pituitary gland knows how much of the hormone is in the blood and then makes adjustments as necessary to their production. TSH and TRH are released into the system if there is too much of the hormone in the blood. The purpose is to decrease the amount of TSH and hormones that is being released back to normal.

Hypothyroidism can be caused by several different things.

One of the treatments for hyperthyroidism can actually cause hypothyroidism. The treatment involves destroying the cells of the thyroid gland by radioactivity or surgery.

The production of hormones might be decreased in people who suffer from lupus, Sjogren syndrome, chronic hepatitis, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. The reason being is they have a greater chance of carrying antithyroid antibodies.

Early detection of hypothyroidism in infants is possible through medical screenings. It is considered a congenital disease if a person is born with it.

Goiter, a swelling of the gland that is noticeable, can be caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis. This disease is the result of problems with the production of hormones. This results in above normal levels of TSH.

Lithium can also cause hypothyroidism as well as other medications.

Several factors can lead to hyperthyroidism.

Grave’s disease is the result of an overstimulation of the thyroid gland by TSI, thyroid stimulation immunoglobulin. This condition can also result in the bugging of the eyes or a frightened type look. Eye pain and muscle weakness accompany this condition as do muscle tears and double vision. Goiter, swelling of the thyroid gland, is also a consequence. Raised and thickened skin on the feet or shins may occur as well.

Differing from Grave’s disease in the manner that there are no eye complications and the pain is less, is a disease known as toxic mulinodular goiter. Production of hormones by a single section of the gland without any stimulation from TSH results in goiter. Seen in elderly people mostly, it is the result of long term goiter.

An inflammatory disease of the thyroid, known as thyroiditis, leads to diseases like Hashimoto and de Quervain thyroiditis. When this happens, an overproduction of hormones occurs due to the inflammation. This in turn leads to a hyperthyroid condition. Hypothyroidism then occurs because the gland quits working due to the inflammation.

The production of TSH by the pituitary gland without cause is known as pituitary adenoma. The disease causes an overstimulation of the thyroid.

Be sure to consider all the benefits and consequences before taking the drug amiodarone for a heart condition. This medication can cause drug induced hyperthyroidism. This side effect can be stopped if they are monitored.

There are two basic groups that thyroid disease symptoms may be placed in when deciding on the correct diagnosis. One is for hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid and the other one is hypothyroidism, an underactive one. The thyroid disease treatments that will be necessary will be determined after the two types have been narrowed down to the correct one.

The thyroid disease symptoms do not differ greatly between the two but will assist in narrowing down the one a person is likely to have without actual testing being involved. The list for both is extensive and many of the items appear on both but there are a few key ones that separate the two. While the two groups of thyroid disease symptoms may be similar, they affect the body in some very different fashions.

Hyperthyroidism will tend increase the speed in which the body functions as it reacts to the disease. Nervousness and irritability become very prevalent when afflicted with this and the disease thyroid heart rate will increase. The body will perspire much more than normal along with a shaking of the hands and possible panic attacks.

Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, leads towards depression, feeling run down and the bodies need to rest more often than normal. The muscular weakness that accompanies this will affect the upper arms and the thighs the most, making it difficult to lift things and to walk comfortably for long distances. The symptoms of thyroid disease are by no means easy to detect but a compilation of all of them will help to make a proper diagnosis.

Thyroid disease symptoms require the close examination of a trained professional in order to narrow down which one the patient is inflicted with. If these and other symptoms arise and the thyroid is the suspected culprit, consult a physician immediately. There is no replacement for a professional diagnosis but by understanding a possible condition, it will allow for a greater understanding of how the diagnosis was reached.

The thyroid gland lies just below the Adam’s apple (and yes, women DO have an Adam’s apple) and is shaped somewhat like a butterfly.  It regulates your metabolism which means that all organs in the body depend on its ability to work correctly.

There are two major types of thyroid distress:  Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism.  In the first, the thyroid is not producing enough hormones to keep the metabolism up to speed.  In the second case, there is too much thyroid being produced and the body reacts by increasing the metabolism which creates a whole different set of problems.  It is the first scenario, hypothyroidism, which will be discussed here.

Weight gain is a major problem as the metabolism is so slow that it does not burn calories at a normal rate.  It also causes one to feel sluggish and fatigued. Often, hypothyroidism will cause the skin to become dry and cracked and the hair to be coarse and dull.  Occasionally, hair loss is noted.  Muscle aches and pains, swelling from water retention and an aversion to cold temperatures are also possible.

The first thing one must do when suspecting a thyroid problem is to visit a physician who will perform a head to toe physical to rule out any other medical causes for the weight gain or other problems.  Then a blood test will be ordered to check the TSH levels and other thyroid levels in your body. TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, is a key factor when determining how the gland is working in your body.  A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid is not working properly and the body is trying to compensate for lack of the proper hormones. Specialists in thyroid and other gland disorders are endocrinologists.

Often a physician will prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone to regulate the TSH levels in the blood.  If this does not seem to be working, an additional thyroid medication may be required.  As the physician watches your condition on a regular basis, he or she might require that you have an ultrasound, with or without a biopsy.  If a nodule or a goiter is found, the biopsy will be absolutely necessary to rule out cancer or other diseases. The biopsy usually consists of a pathologist inserting three very fine needles into the thyroid to extract cells for review.  This is often done in conjunction with an ultrasound.

One disease that is actually quite common for people with a low functioning thyroid is Hashimotos Thyroiditis.  The symptoms are much the same as those for a low functioning thyroid, but may show signs of spreading cells which could lead to cancer if not monitored regularly.  Hashimoto’s disease comes on gradually and symptoms may be scarce at first.  But some of the more prevalent symptoms are: dry skin, depression,

Sensitivity to cold, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, high cholesterol counts and weight gain.  The weight gain could be as much as twenty pounds and is hard to lose even with the most rigid of dieting plans.

The only way a person can be sure that weight gain is associated with a malfunctioning thyroid gland is to see a physician who specializes in diseases of the glands or an endocrinologist.  He or she can tell you for sure if your thyroid is out of whack and help you to understand what choices you have for treatment.  Treatments range from medication to surgery and should be considered very carefully.